Albany, New York, March 29, 2021: A bill to legalize marijuana for recreational use by those over the age of 21 in New York is being drafted and will likely be brought up for a vote this week, pending the resolution of some sticking points on language concerning impaired driving.
The Libertarian Party of New York strongly supports legalizing marijuana, but roundly condemns the heavy taxation, forced unionization, stringent licensing requirements, and high licensing fees in the legislation. Cody Anderson, Chair of the Libertarian Party of New York, applauded this news, but implored the legislature to go further in their efforts.
“This bill is a tremendous step in the direction of a freer New York and affirmation of the natural right to self-ownership,” Anderson stated. “Laws prohibiting the recreational use of marijuana, a plant, are an archaic holdover from the Rockefeller administration. We ask that the Legislature also consider extending this legalization beyond only marijuana, focus on a policy of harm reduction, and end the Draconian and prejudicial Rockefeller drug laws in their entirety. We also believe the personal grow provisions of the bill should be implemented immediately, rather than after the 18 month delay that is only designed to benefit the political cronies of the Legislature and Governor Cuomo. The taxation and special interest carve-outs will only perpetuate an already thriving black market by artificially increasing prices and driving demand to the underground, taxless economy. We demand its growth and taxation like any other agricultural product: freely, and not at all! ”
For more information about the Libertarian Party of New York, please visit lpny.org. You may also visit Facebook at www.facebook.com/LPNYOfficial, Twitter @LPNYOfficial, or Instagram @LPNYOfficial.
Contact:
Anthony D’Orazio
Public Engagement Director
Libertarian Party of New York
tdorazio@lpny.org
866-33